Clemente Villalpando

Clemente Villalpando, 88 was born on November 23, 1926 in La Capilla de Guadalupe in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico to Mercedes and Agripin Villalpando. Along with his parents he lived in Leon, Guanajuato with 5 brothers and 2 sisters and worked in his family business of making and distributing shoes. He was in the military in Mexico for a couple of years. He played soccer as recreation, but enjoyed it so much that he played professionally for a very short time. As the story goes, he chose life with the love of his life Tanila, playing professional soccer took the back seat and they got married on February 4, 1950 in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. They moved to the United States in 1950 and settled in Arizona near Tanila’s family. His first job in Arizona was picking dates, which he said he gave up right away, because he was scared of heights.

They had their first child, Alice, born on November 17, 1950, and then moved to Kingsburg. Shortly, after arriving in Kingsburg, so they could be near Tanila’s family and 10 months after the birth of their first child, the triplets were born, Mercedes, Lupe and Mario, They were the first triplets in Hanford. He told us when he heard he had triplets he had to call back to make sure. He asked again, not two? They said you have three. He said he was completely overwhelmed and didn’t know how he was going to pay for them when they released them from the hospital. So, he thought it out and he decided to sell his three little pigs to get his three little babies home. He was so proud to get them all home after a one month stay in the hospital. Because it was the first triplets to ever be born in Hanford. They wrote an article in the Hanford Sentinel, but little would they know that in the next two years, the twins, Amparo and Evagelina would be born. They wrote another article in the Hanford Sentinel, “Full House for the Villalpandos”. I guess that’s why our dad loved the casino so much, he was a high roller. Few years later, Aricela was born and then Monica, the baby of the family which completed the family.

Dad worked very hard, 50 years in agriculture and loved being outside. He worked for the Bujulian Brothers in Kingsburg for 30 years. He took much pride in his work and that he would be the only one who could prune the new fruit trees. As children we enjoyed our times with our dad working on my uncle’s farm. He taught us how to catch and kill gophers (he hated gophers) and how to drive a tractor. He taught us how to pick grapes, peaches and prune vines. We learned great work ethics from him, because he said that is why we were here, to work and make a living. He loved his family and always had a joke or a friendly smile and a strong hand shake. He was always at all the family gatherings. All 30 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren loved him so. As one grandchild said, “I couldn’t wait until grandpa got home to see what was in his lunchbox”. He always left something in his lunchbox, a cookie, coffee or part of his burrito he always knew we would be waiting to see what was in the lunchbox. Our dad was a great baker too. He would make his famous Polvorones, it’s kind of like a shortcake cookie. Mom would always hide each of us our share until we got there, so we could eat our Polvorones and drink coffee with him. It was something he enjoyed immensely. Dad with a cup of coffee in one hand and sweets in the other, after each meal, we will never forget.

Dad had 2 favorite pets, 2 dogs; one named Luke that walked with him everyday while he was recouping and Mechanic that loved sitting under any car she could fine. He loved petting them all the time and since he loved being outside they always followed him wherever he went.

Dad of course loved the casino. Whenever anyone could take him he was ready to go, of course it usually fell on Eva. We would always give him money for his birthday, Christmas or Father’s Day because we knew how much he enjoyed having money in his pockets, in his sock, in his shoes and in his wallet. When he won, he never really liked sharing the winnings; he would hide it when he got home. But, of course he wouldn’t do a very good job, because we would find it in the chair that he sat in, in his bed or just falling out as he walked down the hall.

Dad had a massive stroke in 2001, which was difficult not only for him but also the family, especially mom. She took good care of him even though it was hard, for 14 years and did a great job. We always said she was our little angel and because of her and the grace of God, dad was with us a little longer. The stroke was hard on dad, but we know that God had plans for him. We got to know our dad a little better, because he always worked hard and went to bed early, we really never had the chance to really talk to him. So, in the last 14 years we have asked our dad many questions and learned a lot about him and his family, which we really didn’t get to see very often. So, we decided to take him in 2001 because he thought he would never see his family again. Well, we took him again in 2004, 2008 and finally for the last time this year, 2015. He loved seeing all his family in Mexico and we surprised him with a family reunion, a birthday party, Mariachis’ and his favorite song. We were glad to make this wish for him, come true. One of the proudest moments for dad, was that he became a U.S. citizen in 2001. He studied so hard and couldn’t wait to take his oath. We were so proud of him.

Our father was a kind, sweet and loving father, even though he never said “I love you”, very much, we always knew it. We would always ask him, “Daddy who is your favorite?” he always shrugged his shoulders, but at the end when I asked him, “Daddy who is your favorite?” he said, “All of you!”

Dad was very strong in his faith; he prayed the rosary every day with mom. He blessed himself about 20 times per day. Went to church all his life and after the stroke he went when he could. I know he is with our Father in Heaven and dancing with my sister, Aricela Meza and driving around in his little Mazda red truck. He will be praying for us, along with the all the angels and saints in heaven. Daddy, we love you and we will miss you. But, it is our faith and hopes to see you someday, in heaven. You have all our love. Clemente went to be with the Lord on September 3, 2015.

Clemente was preceded in death by three brothers.

Clemente leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years; Tanila Villalpando of Hanford, his seven children and their spouses; Alice & Eddie Sasin, Mercedes & Rodulfo Zamora, Lupe Rodriguez, Mario Villalpando, Amparo & John Vryhof, Evagelina & Ronnie Edwards and Monica Carrillo.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. all at St. Brigid Catholic Church; 1000 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 with Burial following at Kingsburg Cemetery; 12782 E. Clarkson Avenue, Kingsburg, CA 93631.

Family and Friends are invited to view Clemente’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.

Services are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel.

PEOPLE’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

501 N. Douty Street

Hanford, CA 93230

559-584-5591

www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com